CN110891451B

CN110891451B - Magnetic fastener for an article of footwear

Info

Publication number: CN110891451B
Application number: CN201880047648.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔治·安瑟雷斯; 埃里克·Y·李
Original assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Current assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Priority date: 2017-08-30
Filing date: 2018-08-24
Publication date: 2021-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-24
Also published as: CN110891451A; EP3675677B1; US20190059483A1; US20200288800A1; US11278072B2; EP4091493A1; EP4091493B1; EP3675677A1; WO2019046121A1; US10674779B2

Abstract

A magnetic fastener, such as for an article of footwear, includes a male fastener portion and a female fastener portion. The male fastener portion is configured to be magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion. The female fastener portion defines a recess having a periphery that is not symmetrical about a central axis of the recess. The male fastener portion fits into the recess when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, and the male fastener portion interferes with the female fastener portion when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about a central axis of the recess away from the first orientation.

Description

Magnetic fastener for an article of footwear

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from us provisional application No. 62/552,115 filed on 30/8/2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present teachings generally include magnetic fasteners and articles of footwear having magnetic fasteners.

Background

The upper of an article of footwear is generally secured around the foot using laces, straps, or other fastening mechanisms. The configuration of the upper, the complexity of the fastening mechanism, and the level of tightening may depend on the activity to be performed.

Brief Description of Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are schematic in nature and are intended to be exemplary rather than limiting in scope.

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a lateral side view of an article of footwear with magnetic fasteners unfastened.

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a lateral side view of the article of footwear of fig. 1, with the magnetic fastener fastened.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of a male fastener portion of the magnetic fastener of fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of a female fastener portion of the magnetic fastener of fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exploded cross-sectional view of the magnetic fastener of fig. 1-2 taken at line 5-5 in fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a plan view of the magnetic fastener of fig. 1-2, with a male fastener portion shown in hidden lines fitted in a recess of the female fastener portion in a first orientation, and a second orientation of the male fastener portion shown in dashed lines.

Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of a partial cross-sectional view of the article of footwear of fig. 1 taken at line 7-7 in fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a partial cross-sectional view of the article of footwear of fig. 2 taken at line 8-8 in fig. 2.

Description of the invention

In accordance with the present disclosure, a magnetic fastener is configured with mating male and female fastener portions that can be quickly fastened and unfastened with one hand. The male fastener portion is configured to fit within an asymmetrical recess of the female fastener portion that largely constrains the male fastener portion in a first orientation, preventing it from twisting relative to the female fastener portion. Strategically positioned walls of the female fastener provide a physical barrier that supplements the magnetic force to maintain the fastener in a secure position. When used to secure an upper of an article of footwear around a foot, the upper may include a strap that is continuous with a side of the upper, and a fastener may secure a distal end of the strap to one side to tighten the upper around the foot with one-handed securement and release.

More specifically, an article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity and a magnetic fastener including a male fastener portion secured to a first portion of the upper and a female fastener portion secured to a second portion of the upper. The male fastener portion is configured to be magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion to tighten the upper around the foot-receiving cavity. The female fastener portion defines a recess having a periphery that is not symmetrical about a central axis of the recess. The male fastener portion fits into the recess when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, and the male fastener portion interferes with the female fastener portion when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about a central axis of the recess away from the first orientation. The female fastener portion thereby limits twisting of the male fastener portion within the recess.

In one or more embodiments, the male fastener portion includes a straight side, a curved side, and a corner where the straight side and the curved side meet. The female fastener portion includes straight walls and curved walls. The male fastener portion fits into the recess in a first orientation with the curved side adjacent the curved wall and the straight side adjacent the straight wall. The corner interferes with the straight wall when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the curved sides of the male fasteners are U-shaped and the curved walls of the female fasteners are U-shaped. In these or other embodiments, the curved walls have a first height and the straight walls have a second height that is less than the first height.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the female fastener portion is disposed on a lateral side of the upper, with the curved wall generally above the straight wall. This enables the curved wall to act as a barrier against movement of the male fastener portion, such as when a force on the magnetic fastener pushes the male fastener portion against the curved wall.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the male fastener portion is stepped at the straight sides such that the male fastener portion overlies the female fastener portion and is located outside of the recess at the straight walls of the female fastener portion.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the curved wall slopes outward such that the recess is wider at a distal portion of the curved wall than at a proximal portion of the curved wall. The curved side of the male fastener portion is also angled such that the curved side is flush with the curved wall when the male fastener portion is in the recess. The angled configuration of the curved walls and curved sides help center the male portion within the recess of the female portion.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the male fastener portion includes a first base portion and a male connector portion protruding from the base portion, the male connector portion having straight sides, curved sides, and corners. The female fastener portion includes a second base and a female connector portion surrounded by the second base, the female connector portion having a curved wall and a recess, and the second base defining a straight wall. The periphery of the first base and the periphery of the second base have substantially the same shape. For example, each may be triangular with rounded corners. In such embodiments, the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the substantially identical shape of the male fastener portion and the female fastener portion is substantially triangular, with an apex of the second base of the female fastener portion disposed in a downward and rearward direction on a lateral side of the upper. In such embodiments, alignment of the male fastener portion with the female fastener portion may be simplified because the corresponding apex of the first base of the male fastener portion points generally in the direction in which the portion of the upper on which the male fastener portion is disposed is pulled during fastening.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the first portion of the upper includes a strap and the second portion of the upper defines a lateral side of the upper. The interior face of the strap is continuous with the lateral side of the upper in a unitary construction. The male fastener portion is secured to the interior face of the strip. The upper includes a medial side, and the exterior side of the strip is continuous with the medial side of the upper in a unitary construction. The interior face of the strap faces the exterior surface of the exterior side of the upper when the male fastener portion is magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the strap tapers in width from a proximal portion of the strap to a distal portion of the strap.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the magnetic fastener includes a male fastener portion and a female fastener portion. The male fastener portion is configured to be magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion. The female fastener portion defines a recess having a periphery that is not symmetrical about a central axis of the recess. The male fastener portion fits into the recess when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, and interferes with the female fastener portion when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about a central axis of the recess away from the first orientation, the female fastener portion thereby preventing twisting of the male fastener portion within the recess.

In one or more embodiments of the fastener, the male fastener portion includes a straight side, a curved side, and a corner where the straight side and the curved side meet. The female fastener portion includes straight walls and curved walls. The male fastener portion fits into the recess with the curved side adjacent the curved wall and the straight side adjacent the straight wall. The corner interferes with the straight wall when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess.

In one or more embodiments of the fastener, the curved side of the male fastener is U-shaped and the curved wall of the female fastener is U-shaped. In these or other embodiments, the curved walls have a first height and the straight walls have a second height that is less than the first height.

In one or more embodiments of the fastener, the straight sides of the male fastener portion are stepped such that the male fastener portion overlies the female fastener portion and is located outside of the recess at the straight walls of the female fastener portion.

In one or more embodiments of the fastener, the male fastener portion includes a first base and a male connector portion protruding from the base, the male connector portion having a straight side, a curved side, and a corner. The female fastener portion includes a second base and a female connector portion surrounded by the second base, the female connector portion having a curved wall and a recess, and the second base defining a straight wall. The periphery of the first base and the periphery of the second base have substantially the same shape. In such embodiments, the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a lateral side view of an article of footwear 10. As further described herein, article of footwear 10 includes magnetic fastener 12, which magnetic fastener 12 is shown unfastened in fig. 1 and fastened in fig. 2. More specifically, the magnetic fastener 12 includes a male fastener portion 12A and a female fastener portion 12B, each secured to a different portion of an upper 14 of the article of footwear. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the magnetic fasteners 12 are configured for easy and quick magnetic fastening and unfastening of the male fastener portion 12A to the female fastener portion 12B to tighten and loosen the shoe upper 14 around a foot 19 disposed in the foot-receiving cavity 16, respectively (the foot 19 is shown in phantom in fig. 7 and 8).

Referring to fig. 1, an article of footwear 10 includes a sole structure 18 located beneath upper 14. Sole structure 18 is depicted as a single, one-piece, unitary midsole and outsole, but sole structure 18 of article of footwear 10 may have any configuration that is within the scope of the present teachings. For example, sole structure 18 may include one or more sole components that may be separate sole layers, such as layers of an outsole and one or more midsoles. In further configurations, sole structure 18 may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot. In one non-limiting example, sole structure 18, as shown as an integral midsole and outsole, may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities, for example. Discrete outsole elements, such as wear-resistant rubber materials, and/or traction elements, such as tread elements or cleats, that may be textured to impart traction, may be secured to a bottom surface of sole structure 18.

Upper 14 is secured to sole structure 18. For example, a lower extremity (lower extent) of upper 14 may be bonded or otherwise secured to sole structure 18, as shown in fig. 7 and 8. In other embodiments, a strobel (not shown) may be secured to a lower extremity of upper 14 and to sole structure 18, or upper 14 may continue under foot 19 in a sock configuration. An insole (not shown) may cover sole structure 18 within foot-receiving cavity 16. Upper 14 is configured to receive foot 19 and retain foot 19 in foot-receiving cavity 16 such that foot 19 is supported on sole structure 18, with sole structure 18 positioned under foot 19 and between foot 19 and the ground.

Article of footwear 10 has a forefoot portion 20, a midfoot portion 22, and a heel portion 24. The upper 14 and the sole structure 18 both extend in and partially define a forefoot portion 20, a midfoot portion 22, and a heel portion 24, indicated in fig. 2. Article of footwear 10 has a lateral side 30 (fig. 1) and a medial side 32 (shown in fig. 7 and 8) opposite lateral side 30. Lateral side 30 and medial side 32 extend through each of forefoot region 20, midfoot region 22, and heel region 24 and correspond with opposite sides of article of footwear 10. Forefoot region 20, midfoot region 22, heel region 24, lateral side 30, and medial side 32 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 10, but are instead intended to represent general areas of article of footwear 10 to aid in the following discussion. The illustrated article of footwear 10 is configured for use with a left foot. An article of footwear for the right foot has a mirror image of the article of footwear shown and is within the scope of the present teachings.

Upper 14 may be a variety of materials such as leather, textiles, polymers, cotton, foam, composites, and the like. In non-limiting examples, upper 14 may be a polymer material capable of providing elasticity to upper 14, and may have a braided construction, a knitted construction (e.g., warp-knitted), or a braided construction (e.g., woven construction). As shown, upper 14 is a soft, flexible material and may include multiple layers.

Referring to fig. 7, first portion 34 of upper 14 includes a strap 36. Second portion 38 of upper 14 comprises lateral side 30 of the upper. As shown in fig. 1, female fastener portion 12B is secured to lateral side 30 of upper 14. An inner side 40 of strip 36 is continuous with lateral side 30 of the upper in a unitary construction. In other words, the material of upper 14 that forms lateral side 30 also forms an interior side of strip 36 and extends uninterrupted from lateral side 30 to strip 36. The male fastener portions 12A are disposed on the interior face 40 of the strip 36 and secured to the interior face 40.

Similarly, because the material of upper 14 that forms medial side 32 also forms an outer side 42 of strip 36, and extends uninterrupted from medial side 32 to strip 36, outer side 42 of strip 36 is continuous with medial side 32 of upper 14 in a unitary construction. As shown in fig. 7, the interior face 40 of the tape 36 may be sewn or otherwise secured to the exterior face 42 of the tape 36 at seams 44 where the

sides

40, 42 meet such that an interior surface 46 of the interior face 40 of the tape 36 faces an interior surface 48 of the exterior face 42 of the tape 36. Alternatively, the entire upper 14, including lateral side 30 and medial side 32 and strap 36, may be a unitary, one-piece unit, such as by knitting or otherwise.

As best shown in fig. 1, the strap 36 tapers in width (i.e., the width of the strap 36 is in the fore-aft direction of the article of footwear 10) from a proximal portion 49 of the strap 36 proximate the foot-receiving cavity 16 to a distal portion 50 of the strap 36. The fore-aft direction of the article of footwear 10 is the longitudinal direction extending along a longitudinal centerline L (shown in fig. 1 and 7) of the article of footwear 10 from the heel portion 24 toward the forefoot portion 20. The male fastener portion 12A is secured adjacent the distal portion 50.

In fig. 1 and 7, the strap 36 is shown in a raised position, such as by a user's hand (not shown) moving the strap 36 to fasten the male fastener portion 12A midway to the female fastener portion 12B. The strap 36 is of sufficient length that it can be pulled in a downward and rearward direction from its position in fig. 1 over the instep of the foot 19 to the securing position in fig. 2 where the male fastener portion 12A is magnetically secured to the female fastener portion 12B. When male fastener portion 12A is magnetically fastened to female fastener portion 12B, interior face 40 of strap 36 faces exterior surface 52 of lateral side 30 of upper 14, as best shown in fig. 8.

Referring to fig. 3-6, the features of the fastener 12 are shown in further detail. Fig. 3 shows a male fastener portion 12A including a first base portion 60A and a male connector portion 62A protruding from the first base portion 60A. The female fastener portion 12B also has a second base portion 60B and a female connector portion 62B, the female connector portion 62B at least partially protruding from the second base portion 60B and being flanked by and surrounded from below by the second base portion 60B. At least one of the

connector portions

62A or 62B is magnetic. If either is not magnetic, it is a material that is attracted to a magnet, such as iron or steel, so that in all embodiments,

connector portions

62A, 62B are attracted to each other and

fastener portions

12A, 12B are secured to each other by magnetic force. The

bases

60A, 60B may be a flexible rubber or other polymer material that may be stitched, adhered, or otherwise secured to the upper 14.

As shown in fig. 1, first base 60A is stitched to upper 14 with stitching 64 through a groove 66 formed as a thin portion of first base 60. In fig. 5, the groove 66 is shown in cross-sectional view. The recess 66 surrounds the male connector portion 62A and generally corresponds to the shape of the periphery of the first base portion 60A. The second base portion 60B also has a thinned groove 66 surrounding the female connector portion 62B and generally corresponds in shape to the periphery of the second base portion 60B. Second base 60B is stitched to lateral side 30 of upper 14 with stitching 64 through a groove 66 formed to be thinner.

The connector portion 62A of the male fastener portion 12A includes a straight side 68, a curved side 70, and a corner 72 where the straight side and the curved side meet. Straight side 68, curved side 70, and one or more corners 72 at least partially define a periphery MP of male connector portion 62A. The curved side 70 of the male connector portion 62A is U-shaped in the plan view of fig. 3 and is also inclined. In other words, and as best shown in fig. 5, the curved sides 70 of the male connector portion 62A extend from the first base portion 60A at an obtuse angle a1 such that the male connector portion 62A tapers in width in a direction away from the first base portion 60A at the curved sides 70. For example, as shown in fig. 3, a distal portion of connector portion 62A (i.e., the portion furthest from first base portion 60A) has a first width W1, while a proximal portion of connector portion 62A (i.e., the portion closest to first base portion 60A) has a second width W2 that is greater than first width W1.

Referring to fig. 5, the second base 60B of the female fastener portion 12B has a slight recess 74 in which the female connector portion 62B is secured, such as with an adhesive, in the slight recess 74. Alternatively or additionally, the female connector portion 62B may have a flange that fits within a slot of the second base 60B at the periphery of the recess 74. The female connector portion 62B of the female fastener portion 12B also defines a recess 76, the recess 76 being a sub-portion of the recess 74. As best shown in fig. 4, the periphery FP of the recess 76 is not symmetrical about the central axis C of the recess 76. The central axis C extends in the direction of the depth of the recess 76, i.e. perpendicular to the second base 60B. The second base 60B defines a straight wall 78 that defines the recess 74 and also defines the recess 76. The female connector portion 62B includes a curved wall 80 that defines the recess 76. The curved wall 80 is U-shaped. The curved wall 80 and the straight wall 78 thus generally define an outer perimeter FP of the recess 76 and result in the recess 76 not being symmetrical about the central axis C.

As best shown in fig. 5, the curved wall 80 has a first height H1, and the straight wall 78 has a second height H2 that is less than the first height. If strap 36 is pulled far enough so that curved side 70 is to the right of the position shown in fig. 5, and then moved in the view of fig. 5 to approach curved wall 80 in the downward and leftward directions, a lower height H2 may ease entry of male connector portion 62A into recess 76. In other words, the entry of the male connector portion 62A into the recess 76 may begin slightly above the straight wall 78 and return downwardly to the curved wall 80, rather than straight down the central axis C as would be required if the straight wall 78 and the curved wall 80 were the same height.

As shown in fig. 1, female fastener portion 12B is disposed on lateral side 30 of upper 14 and secured to lateral side 30 with curved wall 80 generally above straight wall 78. This enables the curved wall 80 to act as a barrier against movement of the male fastener portion 12A, such as when a force on the strap 36 pulls the male fastener portion 12A against the curved wall 80. For example, if strap 36 is under tension in the secured position of fig. 2 in which fastener 12 is tightened, curved wall 80 helps to retain fastener 12 in the tightened position in addition to magnetically holding fastener 12 tightened.

Curved wall 80 is angled outwardly such that it extends at an obtuse angle a2 relative to second base 60B, thereby making recess 76 wider at a distal portion 80A of curved wall 80 than at a proximal portion 80B of curved wall 80. Additionally, angle a1 of curved side 70 matches angle a2 of curved wall 80 such that curved side 70 is flush with curved wall 80 when male connector portion 62A is in recess 76. The angled configuration of curved walls 80 and curved sides 70 helps to center male connector portion 62A within recess 76 of female fastener portion 12B. The male connector portion 62A is stepped at the straight side 68 such that the male connector portion 62A overlies the base 60B of the female fastener portion 12B with the terminal wall 69 located outside of the recess 76 at the straight wall 78.

The male connector portion 62A fits into the recess 76 when the male fastener portion 12A is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion 12B. That is, in the first orientation, straight side 68 is parallel to straight wall 78 and curved side 70 is flush with curved wall 80. Due to the asymmetrical recess 76, the male connector portion 62A is generally restricted to this first orientation when in the recess 76. For example, when the male fastener portion 12A is forced to rotate about the central axis C of the recess 76 away from the first orientation, one of the corners 72 will interfere with the female fastener portion 12B at the straight wall 78. For example, in fig. 6, if the male fastener portion 12A is forced to twist slightly clockwise about the central axis C, such as by tension or other forces on the strip 36, the straight side 68 is no longer parallel to the straight wall 78, and the straight corner 72 interferes with the straight wall 78, as represented by the dashed line at the straight side at location 68A. The female fastener portion 12B thereby limits twisting of the male connector portion 62A within the recess 76. The tapered shape of strap 36 is beneficial because it opens wider near foot-receiving chamber 16 so that it provides tension and support over the wide aspect of the instep (wide swing). However, when in the secured position, the wider proximal portion 49 results in forces being exerted on the male fastener portion 12A in a greater range of directions, which may force the male connector portion 62A to twist about the central axis C. Thus, the configuration of the asymmetric recesses 76 and the interfering straight walls 78 is particularly useful in combination with an upper 14 having a strip that is tapered (such as tapered strip 36).

In embodiments, curved wall 80 may have a slot along its lower inner periphery adjacent recess 76 at proximal portion 80B. A distal portion of the curved side 70 of the male connector portion 62A may have a flange around its perimeter. The flange may be sized to slide into the slot when the male connector portion 62A is fitted in the recess 76. The slot may have a height that is greater than the height H1 of the straight wall 78, and the ends of the slot may open near the straight wall 78 such that if the male connector portion 62A enters the recess 76 from directly above the straight wall 78 and in a direction downward and toward the curved wall 70, the flange may slide into the slot.

As is evident in fig. 3-4 and 6, the periphery 82A of the base 60A of the male fastener portion 12A and the periphery 82B of the base 60B of the female fastener portion 12B have substantially the same shape. For example, as shown, each may be triangular with rounded corners. However, other substantially identical shapes may be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the

connector portions

62A, 62B are disposed on their

respective bases

60A, 60B such that when the periphery 82A of the first base 60A of the male fastener portion 12A is aligned with the periphery 82B of the second base 60B of the female fastener portion 12B, the male connector portion 62A is aligned with the recess 76. For example, when the apex 84A of the first base portion 60A is aligned with the apex 84B of the second base portion 60B (with the male fastener portion 12A inverted from the position of fig. 3), the connector portion 62A is aligned with the recess 76.

As shown in fig. 1, female fastener portion 12B is secured to upper 14 such that apex 84A of second base 60B of female fastener portion 12B is disposed in a downward and rearward direction on lateral side 30 of upper 14. In such embodiments, aligning the male fastener portion 12A with the female fastener portion 12B to quickly secure the fastener 12 may be simplified because the corresponding apex 84A of the first base 60A of the male fastener portion 12A points generally in the direction in which the strap 36 is pulled during fastening. In other words, during the pulling motion for tightening strap 36, the

apexes

84A, 84B may align and the male fastener portion 12A will align with the female fastener portion 12B with little or no adjustment in the direction of the pull. Simply pulling the strap 36 in a downward and rearward direction will position the male fastener portion 12A over the female fastener portion 12B. Once in proximity to the female portion 12B, the magnetic force of the magnetic material of one or both of the

connector portions

62A, 62B will tend to pull the male connector portion 62A into the recess 76 in the first orientation.

The following clauses provide example configurations of the article of footwear disclosed herein.

Clause 1: an article of footwear comprising: an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity; a magnetic fastener including a male fastener portion affixed to a first portion of the upper and a female fastener portion affixed to a second portion of the upper, wherein the male fastener portion is configured to magnetically fasten to the female fastener portion to tighten the upper around the foot-receiving cavity; wherein the female fastener portion defines a recess having a periphery that is not symmetrical about a central axis of the recess; and wherein the male fastener portion fits into the recess when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, and the male fastener portion interferes with the female fastener portion when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess away from the first orientation.

Clause 2: the article of footwear of clause 1, wherein: the male fastener portion comprises a straight side, a curved side, and a corner where the straight side and the curved side meet; the female fastener portion includes a straight wall and a curved wall; the male fastener portion is fitted into the recess in the first orientation with the curved side adjacent the curved wall and the straight side adjacent the straight wall; and wherein the corner interferes with the straight wall when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess.

Clause 3: the article of footwear of clause 2, wherein the curved side is U-shaped and the curved wall is U-shaped.

Clause 4: the article of footwear of any of clauses 2-3, wherein the curved walls have a first height and the straight walls have a second height less than the first height.

Clause 5: the article of footwear of clause 4, wherein the female fastener portion is disposed on a lateral side of the upper, wherein the curved wall is substantially above the straight wall.

Clause 6: the article of footwear of any of clauses 4-5, wherein the male fastener portion is stepped at the straight side such that the male fastener portion overlies the female fastener portion and is located outside of the recess at the straight wall of the female fastener portion.

Clause 7: the article of footwear of any of clauses 2-6, wherein the curved wall is sloped such that the recess is wider at a distal portion of the curved wall than at a proximal portion of the curved wall; and wherein the curved side of the male fastener portion is angled such that the curved side is flush with the curved wall when the male fastener portion is in the recess.

Clause 8: the article of footwear of any of clauses 2-7, wherein: the male fastener portion comprises a first base and a male connector portion projecting from the base, the male connector portion having the straight side, the curved side, and the corner; the female fastener portion includes a second base and a female connector portion surrounded by the second base, the female connector portion having the curved wall and the recess, and the second base defining the straight wall; and the periphery of the first base and the periphery of the second base have substantially the same shape.

Clause 9: the article of footwear of clause 8, wherein the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

Clause 10: the article of footwear of any of clauses 8-9, wherein the substantially identical shape is substantially triangular, wherein an apex of the second base of the female fastener portion is disposed in a downward and rearward direction on the lateral side of the upper.

Clause 11: the article of footwear of any of clauses 1-10, wherein: the first portion of the upper includes a strap, and the second portion of the upper defines a lateral side of the upper; an interior face of the strap is continuous with the lateral side of the upper in a unitary construction; the male fastener portion is secured to the interior face of the strap; the upper includes a medial side; and the exterior face of the strap is continuous with the medial side of the upper in a unitary construction.

Clause 12: the article of footwear of clause 11, wherein the interior face of the strap faces an exterior surface of the lateral side of the upper when the male fastener portion is magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion.

Clause 13: the article of footwear of any of clauses 11-12, wherein the strip tapers in width from a proximal portion of the strip to a distal portion of the strip.

Clause 14: a magnetic fastener, comprising: a male fastener portion and a female fastener portion, wherein the male fastener portion is configured to be magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion; wherein the female fastener portion defines a recess having a periphery that is not symmetrical about a central axis of the recess; and wherein when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, the male fastener portion fits into the recess in the first orientation, and when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess away from the first orientation, the male fastener portion interferes with the female fastener portion, the female fastener portion thereby preventing twisting of the male fastener portion within the recess.

Clause 15: the magnetic fastener of clause 14, wherein: the male fastener portion comprises a straight side, a curved side, and a corner where the straight side and the curved side meet; the female fastener portion includes a straight wall and a curved wall; the male fastener portion fits into the recess with the curved side adjacent the curved wall and the straight side adjacent the straight wall; and wherein the corner interferes with the straight wall when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess.

Clause 16: the magnetic fastener of clause 15, wherein the curved side is U-shaped and the curved wall is U-shaped.

Clause 17: the magnetic fastener of any of clauses 15-16, wherein the curved wall has a first height and the straight wall has a second height less than the first height.

Clause 18: the magnetic fastener of any of clauses 15-17, wherein the straight side is stepped such that the male fastener portion overlies the female fastener portion outside of the recess at the straight wall.

Clause 19: the magnetic fastener of any of clauses 15-18, wherein: the male fastener portion comprises a first base and a male connector portion projecting from the base, the male connector portion having the straight side, the curved side, and the corner; the female fastener portion includes a second base and a female connector portion surrounded by the second base, the female connector portion having the curved wall and the recess, and the second base defining the straight wall; and the periphery of the first base and the periphery of the second base have substantially the same shape.

Clause 20: the magnetic fastener of clause 19, wherein the connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

To aid and clarify the subsequent description of the various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. The following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims) unless otherwise indicated.

"article of footwear," "article of footwear," and "footwear" may be considered both a device and an article of manufacture. Assembled articles of footwear (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) that are ready for wear, as well as discrete components of the articles of footwear (such as midsoles, outsoles, upper components, etc.) are considered or alternatively referred to herein in singular or plural form as "articles of footwear (articles(s)", prior to final assembly into articles of footwear that are ready for wear.

"a", "an", "the", "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate at least one of the items present. There may be a plurality of such items unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise expressly or clearly indicated by the context, all numbers expressing quantities or conditions of parameters (e.g., amounts or conditions) in this specification, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about", whether or not "about" actually appears before the number. "about" means that the numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness; approximately or moderately close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by "about" is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then "about" as used herein at least denotes variations that may result from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. Additionally, disclosure of ranges should be understood to specifically disclose all values within the range and further divided ranges. All references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.

The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. The order of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term "any" is understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including "any one of the referenced items. The term "any" is understood to include any possible combination of the recited claims of the appended claims, including "any one of the recited claims.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are used throughout this detailed description, corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "above," "below," "upward," "downward," "top," "bottom," and the like can be used descriptively with respect to the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

The term "lengthwise" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction that extends a length of a component. For example, the lengthwise direction of the shoe extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term "forward" is used to refer to a general direction from the heel region toward the forefoot region, and the term "rearward" is used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified by a longitudinal axis and a forward longitudinal direction along the axis.

The term "vertical" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to both the transverse and longitudinal directions. For example, where the sole is placed flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend upwardly from the ground surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to a separate component of the sole. The terms "upward" or "upwardly" refer to a vertical direction pointing toward the top of a component, which may include the instep (insep), the fastening area, and/or the throat of the upper. The terms "downward" or "downwardly" refer to a vertical direction opposite to the upward direction and may be directed generally toward the sole or toward the outermost component of the sole.

The term "proximal" refers to a direction that is closer to the center of the footwear component, or closer to a direction toward the foot, when the foot is inserted into the article as the article is worn by the user. Likewise, the term "distal" refers to a relative position that is farther away from the center of the footwear component or farther away from the foot when the foot is inserted into the article as the article is worn by the user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposite terms to describe relative spatial locations of footwear components.

While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or in place of any other feature or element in any other embodiment, unless specifically limited. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

While several modes for carrying out many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings within the scope of the appended claims. All matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the full scope of alternative embodiments that a person of ordinary skill would recognize as being implied by, structurally and/or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise evident from the inclusion, and is not limited to only those explicitly depicted and/or described.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity;

a magnetic fastener including a male fastener portion affixed to a first portion of the upper and a female fastener portion affixed to a second portion of the upper, wherein the male fastener portion is configured to magnetically fasten to the female fastener portion to tighten the upper around the foot-receiving cavity;

wherein the female fastener portion defines a recess having a periphery that is not symmetrical about a central axis of the recess;

wherein the male fastener portion fits into the recess when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, and the male fastener portion interferes with the female fastener portion when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess away from the first orientation;

the female fastener portion includes a straight wall and a curved wall; and

wherein the curved wall has a first height and the straight wall has a second height that is less than the first height.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein:

the male fastener portion comprises a straight side, a curved side, and a corner where the straight side and the curved side meet;

the male fastener portion is fitted into the recess in the first orientation with the curved side adjacent the curved wall and the straight side adjacent the straight wall; and

wherein the corner interferes with the straight wall when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the curved side is U-shaped and the curved wall is U-shaped.

4. The article of footwear recited in claim 2, wherein the female fastener portion is disposed on a lateral side of the upper, wherein the curved wall is substantially above the straight wall.

5. The article of footwear of any of claims 2-4, wherein the male fastener portion is stepped at the straight side such that the male fastener portion overlies the female fastener portion and is located outside of the recess at the straight wall of the female fastener portion.

6. The article of footwear of any of claims 2-4, wherein the curved wall is sloped such that the recess is wider at a distal portion of the curved wall than at a proximal portion of the curved wall; and

wherein the curved side of the male fastener portion is angled such that the curved side is flush with the curved wall when the male fastener portion is in the recess.

7. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the curved wall is sloped such that the recess is wider at a distal portion of the curved wall than at a proximal portion of the curved wall; and

8. The article of footwear of any of claims 2-4 and 7, wherein:

the male fastener portion comprises a first base and a male connector portion protruding from the first base, the male connector portion having the straight side, the curved side, and the corner;

the female fastener portion includes a second base and a female connector portion surrounded by the second base, the female connector portion having the curved wall and the recess, and the second base defining the straight wall; and

the periphery of the first base and the periphery of the second base have substantially the same shape.

9. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein:

10. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein:

11. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

12. The article of footwear of claim 9 or 10, wherein the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

13. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the substantially identical shape is generally triangular, wherein an apex of the second base of the female fastener portion is disposed in a downward and rearward direction on a lateral side of the upper.

14. The article of footwear of any of claims 9-11, wherein the substantially identical shape is generally triangular, wherein an apex of the second base of the female fastener portion is disposed on a lateral side of the upper in a downward and rearward direction.

15. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the substantially identical shape is generally triangular, wherein an apex of the second base of the female fastener portion is disposed in a downward and rearward direction on a lateral side of the upper.

16. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-4, 7, 9-11, 13, and 15, wherein:

the first portion of the upper includes a strap, and the second portion of the upper defines a lateral side of the upper;

an interior face of the strap is continuous with the lateral side of the upper in a unitary construction; the male fastener portion is secured to the interior face of the strap;

the upper includes a medial side; and is

The exterior face of the strap is continuous with the medial side of the upper in a unitary construction.

17. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein:

the upper includes a medial side; and is

18. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein:

the upper includes a medial side; and is

19. The article of footwear of claim 8, wherein:

the upper includes a medial side; and is

20. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein:

the upper includes a medial side; and is

21. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein:

the upper includes a medial side; and is

22. The article of footwear recited in claim 16, wherein the interior face of the strap faces an exterior surface of the lateral side of the upper when the male fastener portion is magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion.

23. The article of footwear of any of claims 17-21, wherein the interior face of the strap faces an exterior surface of the lateral side of the upper when the male fastener portion is magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion.

24. The article of footwear recited in claim 16, wherein the strip tapers in width from a proximal portion of the strip to a distal portion of the strip.

25. The article of footwear of any of claims 17-22, wherein the strip tapers in width from a proximal portion of the strip to a distal portion of the strip.

26. The article of footwear recited in claim 23, wherein the strip tapers in width from a proximal portion of the strip to a distal portion of the strip.

27. A magnetic fastener, comprising:

a male fastener portion and a female fastener portion, wherein the male fastener portion is configured to be magnetically fastened to the female fastener portion;

wherein when the male fastener portion is in a first orientation relative to the female fastener portion, the male fastener portion fits into the recess, and when the male fastener portion is forced to rotate about the central axis of the recess away from the first orientation, the male fastener portion interferes with the female fastener portion, the female fastener portion thereby preventing twisting of the male fastener portion within the recess;

the female fastener portion includes a straight wall and a curved wall;

28. The magnetic fastener of claim 27, wherein:

the male fastener portion fits into the recess with the curved side adjacent the curved wall and the straight side adjacent the straight wall; and

29. The magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 28, wherein the curved sides are U-shaped and the curved walls are U-shaped.

30. The magnetic fastener as claimed in any of claims 28-29, wherein the straight side is stepped such that the male fastener portion overlies the female fastener portion outside the recess at the straight wall.

31. The magnetic fastener of any of claims 28-29, wherein:

32. The magnetic fastener of claim 30, wherein:

33. The magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 31, wherein the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.

34. The magnetic fastener as claimed in claim 32, wherein the male connector portion is aligned with the recess when the periphery of the first base of the male fastener portion is aligned with the periphery of the second base of the female fastener portion.